M6.9

1980 Italy Earthquake

Irpinia, Campania, Italy — November 23, 1980

The 1980 Irpinia earthquake killed nearly 3,000 people in southern Italy and left 300,000 homeless. The slow and disorganized disaster response triggered a political crisis in Italy and ultimately led to the creation of Italy's National Civil Protection Department.

Earthquake Facts

Magnitude

M6.9

Date

Nov 23, 1980

Depth

10 km

Deaths

2,914

Latitude

40.914°

Longitude

15.366°

Tsunami

No

Region

Italy

Tectonic Cause

Normal fault rupture in the southern Apennines, part of the extensional tectonics dominating the Italian peninsula as the Apennines migrate westward away from the Adriatic region.

Sources & Further Reading

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